A3.2 Classification and cladistics HL Flashcards
Classification
The sorting and organizing of organisms into groups based on set criteria
Carl Linnaeus
Developed the system of classification and nomenclature widely used today
Taxonomy Hierarchy
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Cladistics
An approach to classification that groups species based on common ancestry
Clade
A group of organisms with a single common ancestor and shared traits
Molecular Clock
A technique that uses mutation rates to estimate the time since two species diverged from a common ancestor
Parsimony Analysis
A method in cladistics to choose the most likely tree with the least number of evolutionary changes
Convergent Evolution
Independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time
Phylogenetic Tree
A diagram showing the evolutionary interrelationships among various species
Morphological Traits
Physical characteristics used in traditional classification systems
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Used in molecular biology to infer evolutionary relationships among organisms
Domain Taxa
The highest taxonomic rank in the classification system, includes Eubacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Monophyletic Group
A group of organisms that consists of all the descendants of a common ancestor
Genetic Homology
Similarities in DNA sequences that reflect shared ancestry
Adaptive Radiation
The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor
